Interview with DJ Selena Faider
Selena Faider: Painting the Dancefloor in Color
When Selena Faider steps behind the decks, the energy shifts. Her sound is a kaleidoscope — soulful grooves, high-energy rhythms, and radiant vocal lines that manage to feel both intimate and explosive. Whether you’re streaming her virtually or catching her on a packed dancefloor, her sets draw you in, lift you higher, and leave you glowing long after the last beat fades.
Paris-born and London-honed, Faider is quickly rising as one of house music’s most magnetic new voices. With support from legends like Arielle Free, TSHA, Joseph Capriati, and Richie Hawtin — and collaborations with Todd Terry and the House Gospel Choir — she’s carving out a path that blends determination, artistry, and soul.
Her story began at just 16, when she taught herself how to DJ, produce, and play piano. Later, she joined Strongroom Studios in London as a studio assistant, sharpening her sound engineering skills. Looking back, she describes her evolution in chapters:
“Everything came step by step, and thinking back on this whole adventure sometimes feels unreal and so magical. Each chapter was a lesson that shaped who I am today.”
Selena in Paris
That layered, chaptered journey is embedded in her music. Tracks like Be Together and Bring That Body radiate groove and joy — they feel like both a celebration and a release. When asked how she’d describe her sound, she puts it simply:
“My sound is all the colors we need in our lives. These songs are a mirror of what I want people to feel when they hear new music. They are a reflection of my ideal dancefloor.”
For Faider, connection is at the core of everything. She doesn’t rely on elaborate rituals before a show — instead, she grounds herself in the energy of the room.
“The crowd’s energy, for sure, because it usually has a direct impact on my track selection.”
Selena & Idris @ Glastonbury
That responsiveness makes her live sets electric — less a performance, more a conversation. And it’s not just with the crowd. Collaborations have become another dialogue in her story, especially her work with Todd Terry and House Gospel Choir — experiences she calls “life-changing chapters” of their own.
“One day, Todd was in the studio and suddenly said: ‘You’re going to sing for me today.’ I was like: ‘Let’s do it!!!’ And that’s how Underground World was born. It feels full-circle, especially since earlier this year we released Be Together with House Gospel Choir.”
But beyond technical skill and big-name collabs lies something more personal: the way music has shaped her relationship with herself. In an industry where women are often scrutinized for appearance before sound, she’s learned to reclaim her presence on her own terms.
“In my early performances, I wanted to be as neutral as possible about the physical aspect, because a lot of people are watching before they even hear the music. Today, I know deeply that I’m free to do whatever I want.”
That sense of liberation comes through most vividly in her latest release, Flood In.
“‘Flood In’ is more than a song — it’s a personal breakthrough. It came from a place of emotional vulnerability. Writing it felt like taking a first breath after holding it for too long — a moment of release, of reclaiming my heart, and finally feeling free.”
Selena Faider’s story is still unfolding, chapter by chapter. But one thing is clear: she’s creating more than music. She’s creating spaces of freedom — dancefloors awash in color, connection, and joy, where everyone is invited to let go and feel alive.
Selena @ Capital Dance Malta
Keep an eye out for her new single, In It, out September 19th!
Check out her Book Club Radio debut here.
Stay up to date with Selena Faider:
Instagram
RA Guide
Soundcloud
